B.C. invests in 1,100 new homes for Indigenous residents

The B.C. government is investing $231 million to build more than 1,100 new affordable homes for Indigenous residents in 26 communities across the province.

It says the first set of homes selected through a new Indigenous housing fund include nearly 780 off-reserve homes and close to 370 homes on-reserve, making the province the first to invest in on-reserve housing.

Housing Minister Selina Robinson made the announcement today on the Katzie First Nation reserve in Pitt Meadows, which is receiving $7.8 million for 39 units of on-reserve housing for youth, elders and families.

Katzie Chief Grace Leon Cunningham says in a statement she’s extremely grateful that the community’s housing project was approved and the new units will have a significant impact for generations to come.

Robinson says the 1,143 new homes will be built over the next two to four years and are part of a 10-year, $550-million commitment to build 1,750 new social housing units for Indigenous Peoples.